Portable Exercise Resistance Device

ABSTRACT

A portable exercise resistance device that can be mounted to stabilized objects to maximize use in various locations is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, the present invention concerns a portable exercise resistance device that can be mounted to stabilized objects to maximize use in various locations.

BACKGROUND

Resistance bands have become a popular, if not integral, element of strength training. The resistance bands allow individuals to build and tone their muscles by simply pulling and adding resistance to an elastic band or tube, commonly made from latex or synthetic rubber. While resistance bands come in a variety of resistance levels and shapes, all resistance bands require the user to apply resistance to the band by pulling on at least one end of the resistance band. To achieve this, resistance bands are typically structured with at least one end that the user can pull while the other end is anchored to a stabilized object such as a fitness machine.

Several resistance bands currently in the market have a handle that allows the user to pull the device and manipulate the elongated elastic tube while holding the handle. Conventional resistance bands have a handle on each end of the elongated elastic tube, allowing the user to use the user's body weight to add resistance to the elongated elastic tube and to tailor the user's workout based on the user's desire or level of fitness. The challenge with the conventional resistance band is that the use, as the resistance, is entirely dependent on the user's desired body positioning and the physical limitations of the user (height, length of arms, etc.).

Attempts have been made, although unsuccessfully, to solve this problem. One illustrative attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,493 B2, which generally discloses a resistance band exercise station. While this disclosure does provide for an anchoring station for one end of the resistance band, it limits the user to utilize the resistance band in one centralized location.

Another attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Patent Application 2015/0005141 A1, which generally discloses a resistance band training system. While this disclosure provides for a resistance band having one end that can be attached or fastened to the user's wrist or specially fabricated gloves, the resistance remains limited to the limitations of the user.

Yet another attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Patent Application No. 2010/0292057 A1, which generally discloses a resistance apparatus adapted to use in conjunction with exercise equipment to allow the user to perform a range of resistance exercises. While this disclosure does provide for an anchoring station for one end of the resistance band, it again limits the user to utilize the resistance band in one centralized location.

Various attempts have been made to solve the problems which may be found in the related art but have been unsuccessful. Therefore, a need exists for a new portable exercise resistance device that can be mounted to stabilized objects to maximize use in various locations to avoid the challenges and problems with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that in the present disclosure, all embodiments are provided as illustrative and non-limiting representatives of many possible embodiments. In addition, the terms “is,” “can,” “will,” and the like are herein used as synonyms for and interchangeable with terms such as “may,” “may provide for,” and “it is contemplated that the present invention may” and so forth.

Furthermore, all elements listed by name, such as exercise, elongated elastic band, resistance, workout, anchor, and handle, etc., are herein meant to include or encompass all equivalents for such elements. For example, in addition to a “handle”, any fixture that can be removably attached to the resistance band is also contemplated by the present invention. In addition to “elastic” latex, synthetic rubber, or any other polymer with similar properties are also contemplated by the present invention. Such equivalents are contemplated for each element named in its particular herein. Also, while the invention will be described in connection with resistance exercises, it is understood that the invention is not limited in scope to use with resistance exercises, and in settings other than an outdoor setting.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention are provided herein. It is to be understood that not all such aspects, advantages, or novel features may be provided in any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one aspect, advantage, or novel feature or group of features without achieving all aspects, advantages, or novel features as may be taught or suggested.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known art, the present invention provides a novel solution for a portable exercise resistance device that can be mounted to stabilized objects to maximize use in various locations. The general purpose of the present invention, which shall be described subsequently in greater detail, is to allow a user to secure the proximal end of the portable exercise resistance device to various stabilized objects in various surroundings including indoors and outdoors.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for a housing, a spool assembly mounted within the housing that is adapted to winding and unwinding the elongated elastic tube of the resistance band. The spool assembly is rotatably biased in a first rotational direction to retract the elongated elastic tube of the resistance band and is rotatable in a second opposing direction to allow the elongated elastic tube of the resistance band to extend when it is pulled away from the spool assembly with sufficient force.

The present invention further comprises a brake mechanism within the spool assembly that may be actuated by applying pressure to a button located on the side of the spool assembly. When the button is actuated, the tension within the spool assembly holds the elongated elastic tube of the resistance band securely in place. When the button is released, the tension within the spool assembly is released, retracting and winding the elongated elastic tube around the spool assembly unless sufficient force is applied by the user to extend the resistance band away from the spool assembly.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a resistance band system, inclusive of an elongated elastic tube that is fixedly connected to the spool assembly on one end, and removably connected to a handle member on the other end of the elongated elastic tube via a hook mechanism, or other removable connection. In some embodiments, the handle member that is removably connected to the elongated elastic tube may be replaced with alternative attachments such as a belt, bar, foot strap, or ankle band.

In a preferred embodiment, an anchoring member is located at the proximal end of the housing and may removably attach to a variety of stabilized objects including gym equipment, chair legs, chair backs, chair arms, beams, bars, carts, strollers, and vehicles. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anchoring member comprises a curved arm and screw mechanism that may be raised and lowered in proximity to the inner curvature of the curved arm. The screw mechanism may be adjusted to be removably secured to the desired stabilized object by placing the curved arm on one side of the desired stabilized object and adjusting the screw mechanism to push or position the desired stabilized object within the inner curvature of the curved arm.

When the anchoring member is removably attached to the desired stabilized object, a user may utilize the portable exercise resistance device by first disengaging the lock button of the spool assembly, to thereby extend the resistance band to the preferred position. A user may then actuate or engage the lock button to prevent the resistance band from extending or retracting from the desired position. Once the desired position of the resistance band is established, the user may perform strength training exercises. The oppositional force provided when the anchoring member is removably secured to a stabilized object, and the resistance band is extended from the spool assembly and locked in the desired position by actuating the lock button, offers the user the resistance required to create sufficient tension within the resistance band.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in terms of the components and configurations, it is understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to those specific dimensions or configurations but is to be accorded the full breadth and scope of the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side hatch view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A shows a side hatch view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B shows a side hatch view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front sectional view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6C shows a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective portable exercise resistance device and method of using the same.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Well-known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

Turning attention to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive a portable exercise resistance device 101, a housing 102 comprising an internal spool assembly (as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B), spool assembly lock button 103, resistance band 104, an accessory attachment such as a handle 105, carabiner clip 106, curved arm 107 at the proximal end of the housing 101, and an adjustable screw member 108.

With respect to FIG. 2, a side view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be perceived. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive that internal curvature 201 of the curved arm 107 is padded. A viewer may also perceive that the adjustable screw member 108 may be raised or lowered into the internal curvature 201 of the curved arm 107 by turning the handle 205 to move the external threads 203 of the adjustable screw member 108 through the internal threads (not shown) of the thread arm 204 such that the head 202 of the adjustable screw member may be positioned within the internal curvature 201 of the curved arm 107.

With respect to FIG. 3 and may be generally known in the art, the spool assembly 301 comprises a plurality of internal teeth 302 fixedly connected to the external rim 303 of a wheel 304. A viewer may perceive that when the lock button 103 is actuated 305, the lock pin 306, places pressure on the resistance band 104 and pushed the resistance band 104 into the space 307 between the internal teeth 302.

Moving attention to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a viewer may perceive that the spool assembly is rotatably biased in a first rotational direction to retract the elongated elastic tube of the resistance band and is rotatable in a second opposing direction to allow the elongated elastic tube of the resistance band to extend when it is pulled away from the spool assembly with sufficient force.

Turning attention to FIG. 5, a front sectional view of a portable exercise resistance device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be perceived. In the embodiment depicted, the resistance band 104 may retract or extend from an opening 501 on the side of the housing 102. A viewer may also perceive that the carabiner clip 106 may secure the resistance band 104 to a fixedly connected internal strap 502 located within the spool assembly 301 (not shown).

As may be generally perceived in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the curved arm 107 may be placed over a cylindrical or square shaped stabilized object such as a chair leg, chair back, chair arm, beam, bar, cart, stroller handle or the like. To secure and anchor the portable exercise resistance device to the stabilized object, a user may turn the handle 205 located at the base of the adjustable screw member 108 counterclockwise to raise the adjustable screw member 108 up towards the internal curvature 201 of the curved arm 107 thereby anchoring the proximal end of the portable exercise resistance device 101 (as shown in FIG. 6A) or clockwise to lower the adjustable screw member 108 away from the internal curvature 201 of the curved arm 107 thereby allowing a user to remove the proximal end of the portable exercise resistance device from the stabilized object. By way of example, and as may be generally perceived in FIG. 6C the portable exercise resistance device may be mounted to a stabilized object such as the handle of a baby stroller. The portable exercise resistance device may also be mounted to the lower bars of a baby stroller.

With respect to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the resistance band 104 of the portable exercise resistance device 101 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is depicted. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive a resistance band 104 removably coupled to an accessory attachment such as a handle 105 via a carabiner clip 106. For those familiar with the field of the art, FIG. 7 serves to generally show that an accessory attachment such as a handle 105 is removably coupled to the distal end 104 a of the resistance band 104. Such other accessory attachments such as a belt, bar, foot strap, or ankle band, may be removably coupled to the distal end 104 a of the resistance band 104 by fastening the accessory attachment to the distal end 104 a of the resistance band 104 via the carabiner clip 106.

Moving to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a perspective view of the portable exercise resistance device 101 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, the user may removably couple the distal end 104 a of the resistance band 104 to an accessory attachment such as a bar by means of the carabiner clip 106, or the user may attach multiple handles 801 a, 801 b or some other fitness equipment attachment such as a belt, bar, foot strap, or ankle band.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112.

While the present invention generally described herein has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable exercise resistance device comprising: an elongated resistance band comprising a proximal first end and a distal second end wherein the proximal first end is removably attached to a spool assembly and the distal second end comprises a clip fastener configured to couple to a static attachment.
 2. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 1 where the spool assembly is rotatably mounted inside of a housing wherein the proximal end of said housing comprises an adjustable attachment system having a curved member and a screw member.
 3. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 1 where the spool assembly is configured and adapted to selectively enable the rotation of said spool assembly thereby unwinding or retracting the elongated resistance band.
 4. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 2 wherein the curved member of the adjustable attachment system is configured to be removably mounted over a static object such as a beam or bar.
 5. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 2 where the screw member of the adjustable attachment system is configured to be raised and lowered in proximity to the inner curvature of the curved member.
 6. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 1 wherein the static attachment coupled to the clip fastener is a handle.
 7. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 1 wherein the static attachment coupled to the clip fastener is a belt.
 8. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 1 wherein the static attachment coupled to the clip fastener is an ankle band.
 9. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 1 wherein the static attachment coupled to the clip fastener is a foot strap.
 10. The portable exercise resistance device of claim 1 wherein the static attachment coupled to the clip fastener is a bar. 